For a while, we had this idea in the back of our minds that someday we wanted to build something of our own. ” “
That philosophy carries through every aspect of the guest experience. The property offers a range of accommodations, from single rooms designed for shorter stays to larger units with two queen beds and kitchenettes suited for families or longer visits. Recent updates have focused on refining the space rather than transforming it: renovated bathrooms, refreshed interiors, and small but intentional details that make a stay feel easier. “It’s not about being overly fancy,” Sally says. “It’s about making sure guests have what they need and feel comfortable.” That comfort is often found in the details. In- room coffee setups are paired with bottled water, something easily overlooked but intentionally provided. Additional linens, towels, and support are always available. Check-ins are personal, not transactional. The goal is not to impress, but to remove friction, to create a stay that feels seamless from arrival to departure. “This business is far more hands-on than people might expect,” Sally says. “There are always things that need attention.” Stepping into ownership also meant navigating perception. As a young couple taking over a long-standing business, Sally and Young quickly realized they would need to prove themselves, not just through words,
but through consistency. “We had to build trust,” she says. “And that takes time.” There was also the challenge of transition. Returning guests, familiar with the motel’s previous rhythm, sometimes carried expectations that didn’t immediately align with new approaches. Rather than resisting that tension, Sally and Young leaned into it, using those moments as opportunities to refine how they communicate and operate. “At times, expectations didn’t fully match,” she explains. “But it helped us become more intentional.” Over time, those efforts have shifted into something more meaningful: relationships. Guests return, not just out of convenience, but familiarity. Conversations extend. Recognition builds. “That’s one of the most rewarding parts,” Sally says. “When guests come back, and you recognize them, it becomes more than just a stay.” It’s this sense of familiarity that ultimately defines what sets Covered Bridge Inn & Suites apart. As a small, family-run operation, Sally and Young are involved in every detail of the business, allowing them
B oth Sally and Young spent more than a decade in Toronto, shaping careers that were structured and stable. Sally worked as a law clerk in the legal field, while Young built his career as an engineer. On paper, everything was working. But over time, the rhythm of city life began to feel increasingly predictable. “For a while, we had this idea in the back of our minds that someday we wanted to build something of our own,”Sally explains. “At the same time, we were starting to feel worn down by the repetition of city life.” That idea might have remained just that, if not for a conversation that shifted everything. When Sally’s parents, long-time owners of the Covered Bridge Inn & Suites, began considering selling the business, what started as a passing mention quickly evolved into something more substantial. For Sally and Young, it wasn’t simply a business opportunity; it was a decision that would reshape both their work and their way of life.
“It wasn’t a quick decision,” she says. “We spent months talking through it, what it would mean, what we would be giving up, and what we might gain.” For Sally, the motel had never been just a property. Growing up, she spent time there helping her parents, often acting as an interpreter and quietly learning the rhythms of hospitality long before she considered it a career. Those early experiences, combined with the familiarity of the town itself, gave Sussex a kind of permanence that Toronto never could. “That local feeling always stayed with me,” she says. “It reminded me of my childhood.” While her family’s connection to the motel played a meaningful role, it wasn’t the only reason Sussex felt like the right choice. As Sally and Young weighed the decision, the town revealed itself as both a practical and personal fit. Centrally located between Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John, Sussex serves as a natural hub for travelers, work crews, and business visitors moving
between cities. At the same time, Sussex offers something less tangible but equally important - a strong sense of community, where connections feel personal and lasting. “It’s a place where people know each other,” Sally says. “Guests aren’t just numbers; you feel part of something,” and “It’s not just a place people pass through; it’s a place they experience, even briefly.” Covered Bridge Inn & Suites has been part of the Sussex community for more than 40 years, built on a foundation established by Sally’s parents, one rooted not in scale or luxury, but in consistency and care. Rather than redefining that identity, Sally and Young have approached the business with a kind of quiet respect, choosing to evolve it without losing what made it work in the first place. “We always say we want guests to feel the warmth and care that we’re willing to provide,”Sally explains.“That’s something my father always focused on, and it’s something we really want to continue.”
96 SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • VOL 26 ISSUE 3
BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE 97
Made with FlippingBook Digital Proposal Creator